Manitoba Hydro boss fired, interim CEO named

WINNIPEG — Manitoba Hydro its president and CEO appointed new management weeks after public comments contradicted the provincial government.

This was reported by Crown Corporation on Tuesday Jay Grewal after five years of service, he will leave the utility service, it will come into force immediately.

In late January, Grewal told the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce that the province may need new energy generation in 2029 and plans to reach out to independent producers for wind power and other sources. Grewal also said that Hydro is open to charging customers different rates at different times of the day.

The NDP government has since made it clear that it opposes both ideas.

Manitoba Hydroelectric Authority appointed Hal Turner as interim president and CEO of the company. Turner joined Manitoba Hydro in 1995.

Chairman of the board Ben Graham said the utility is at a critical juncture facing major decisions about how to meet Manitoba's energy needs in the future, and the board decided it was time to take a fresh look at those decisions.

“One of the board's most important responsibilities is to ensure that we have the leadership to successfully guide Manitoba Hydro into the future and make life more affordable for Manitobans,” Graham said.
said.

“On behalf of the board, I would like to thank Jay Grewal for his contribution to the utility. He helped steer Hydro through the global pandemic and other significant changes.”

Canadian consulting firm MNP is assisting Hydro in its internal and external search for a new president and CEO.

— With Canadian Press files